Addition by Subtraction: Why Sometimes the Best Move Is to Ride the Wave
We just entered what should have been high season at my donut shop, but instead of a spike in sales, we watched them dip. Again.
My first instinct was to fix it. Change something.
I opened my notebook and started listing possibilities:
Do I need to revamp the menu?
Should I create a new product line?
Maybe people suddenly do not want donuts?
What if I made a pizza donut?
Should I hire an influencer?
Should I drop everything and try something else entirely?
If you are an entrepreneur, you know that pressure well. The pressure to constantly innovate, pivot, and launch something new just to stay relevant. We are told that if we are not changing, we are falling behind.
But here is the truth I had to relearn:
Sometimes the most strategic move is to pause. To ride the wave instead of fighting it.
The Market Was Slow, Not My Business
When I stopped spiraling and looked around, I realized something important. Other local business owners were telling me the same thing. My UberEats orders were down, even though we continued to get great reviews. That is always a sign that something is happening in the market and not a sign that my business is broken.
If I had reacted emotionally and revamped my menu during a temporary dip, I could have confused or lost my most loyal customers. Those are the people who help me weather economic storms.
Entrepreneurship culture tells us to chase instant gratification and constant change.
Move fast.
Try something new.
Keep innovating.
But sometimes innovation becomes noise.
Addition by Subtraction: A Lesson I Had to Learn Twice
I learned this concept years ago when I opened a second location.
It sounded exciting. It looked impressive. It fed my ego.
But it was draining the profits from my original store.
It had to go.
Closing that second location did not make me smaller. It made me stronger.
I regained my sanity, my profit margin, and the joy that comes from running a business that actually works.
It was my first experience with the idea of addition by subtraction.
The lesson showed up again this month.
I cut our opening hours by just one and a half hours per day.
That small shift allowed me to reduce my staff size by half.
Sales barely moved, but everything else improved.
My stress levels.
Our team culture.
My ability to think clearly.
My energy to focus on growth.
We always run better with a smaller team. People step up. Accountability increases. The shop feels like a family again. It is proof that more is not always better. Sometimes less is exactly what we need.
Ride the Wave Instead of Fighting It
Not every challenge requires reinvention.
Not every slow month needs a brand new strategy.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is hold steady and make small, intentional improvements instead of impulsive ones.
And yes, even during the holiday season.
We often think the holidays demand hustle, reinvention, and nonstop energy.
But this time of year can actually be a perfect moment to ride the wave, evaluate, and create space for what truly matters. Space to breathe. Space to think. Space to reset.
For My Fellow Entrepreneurs
If you are in a season where things feel slow, heavy, or uncertain, you do not always need a reinvention. You may just need clarity and a chance to remove what is no longer serving you.
Success often comes from simplifying, not stacking.
Want Help Finding Your Subtraction Strategy
If you are ready for a reset that is grounded in clarity, simplicity, and profitability, I have limited VIP Day spots available.
We spend one focused day together mapping out your systems, your messaging, and your next steps. The goal is to help your business run smoother and help you feel lighter.
If this is your season to ride the wave, not fight it, I would love to support you.
Ready for a Clear Plan Forward
Now is the ideal time to reassess, tighten your strategy, and set clear goals for the year ahead. Get a VIP Day on the calendar and walk away with a solid plan.
